Fishing Mechanics Tips

Hi All, huge Valheim fan here...and I'm looking for some help/tips on fishing. I get how all the bait works, how to get the polls, where to fish...I've found fish flopping around on land and picked em up (currently #1 way I am getting fish), and needing a ton of stamina... but what I do not understand, and can't find tips on....is when to pull in the bobber.

My fishing is currently at like 15. Here is my general experience. I cast....about 26 meters or so....wait, see fish everywhere, try to set the hook....start reeling in the line....nothing, so the bobber gets hit, reel in, nothing....I see the little graphic burst, reel in nothing....get the "fish aren't taking the bait" (which i understand is misleading), and reel all the way in, and nothing.

Cast again, and same thing more or less.

Then I cast, and start randomly reeling in, suddenly I get a hooked.

What in the world is going on? Should I just be casting (even with a bobber)? Seems like a great way to get fishing up.

Thanks in advance!
3:13 pm, January 4, 2023
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Urban Blackbear replied to Fishing Mechanics Tips January 4, 2023 @ 6:01:26 am PST

If you get the message that the fish aren't taking the bait that means that particular fish takes one of the biome specific baits. The regular fishing bait you buy from Haldor only works for Meadows fish. You have to craft the other types of bait and the recipes for the next biome's fish bait should unlock when you catch a specific type of fish in the current biome. For example catching a perch should unlock Mossy fishing bait for the Black Forest.

The actual mechanics themselves is that you need to start reeling in when a fish bites the line. There is both a visual and audio cue for that happening but both are prone to being easily miss-able due to ambient sound and weather/sea effects. I just try to time my reeling in for when the fish notices the baits and comes in to strike at it.
3:13 pm, January 4, 2023
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Reften replied to Fishing Mechanics Tips January 4, 2023 @ 6:21:31 am PST

Originally posted by Urban Blackbear:

The actual mechanics themselves is that you need to start reeling in when a fish bites the line. There is both a visual and audio cue for that happening but both are prone to being easily miss-able due to ambient sound and weather/sea effects. I just try to time my reeling in for when the fish notices the baits and comes in to strike at it.

ok, super helpful thank you!
3:13 pm, January 4, 2023
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rexpiscator replied to Fishing Mechanics Tips January 4, 2023 @ 6:36:31 am PST

When the bobber disappears, you see the concentric rings/ripples, you hear the 'plop' sound...3 clues you got a 'fish ON!'.
3:13 pm, January 4, 2023
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Reften replied to Fishing Mechanics Tips January 4, 2023 @ 6:42:54 am PST

Originally posted by rexpiscator:
When the bobber disappears, you see the concentric rings/ripples, you hear the 'plop' sound...3 clues you got a 'fish ON!'.

I agree! But no matter how hard I try, I can not get them hooked when this happens...I wanted to make sure this was right. (not some weird mechanic like they have to hit it 3 times or I dunno). Really only way I've been able to catch is just randomly reeling in....
3:13 pm, January 4, 2023
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jonnin replied to Fishing Mechanics Tips January 4, 2023 @ 6:58:09 am PST

this isnt active fish-like plastic lures or noisemakers where you constantly reel so it 'swims' or does its thing. Its a worm on a hook with a float. You cast, and wait. When the float goes under and you hear a splish noise, you reel and that hooks it & pulls it in.

it can take patience. Also, casting way out isn't ideal, cast where you see a fish swimming, usually 10 or so M out is fine.

the changes with bait make it frustrating as fish from other zones won't take your bait, and casting far out can overlap ocean biome which uses another bait type, or fishing near zone changes is also annoying now.
3:13 pm, January 4, 2023
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